Indonesia 2010 mount merapi volcano - emerging country

Question 1

CAUSES

Answer 1

• composite volcano - VEI 4 - explosive - thick andesitic lava - viscous + caused pyroclastic flows = further damage.
• at subduction zone - indo-australian plate sliding underneath Eurasian plate.
• large ash clouds (tephra) fell on surrounding area up to 40km away.

Question 2

IMPACTS

Answer 2

• 353 deaths, 500 injuried
• 350,000 successfully evacuated
• economic loss: $0.6 billion
• rice harvest destroyed by ashfall
• forested areas destroyed by pyroclastic flow + lahars caused devastation.
• —- since 1980s, only two eruptions have caused more than 1000 deaths.

Question 3

PRE - ERUPTION

Answer 3

• Initial monitering predicted eruption was likely

- evacuation schemes in place for those within 20km

Question 4

POST - ERUPTION

Answer 4

• shelters set up
• local airports closed due to ash plumes
• Gov aid provided food, water, hygiene kits + face masks.